Sunday, November 13, 2016

Weekend Next Level Projects: Deconstructed & Reworked Designer Tops

This weekend, while I focused on a few reworked designer projects, I noticed that I actually do follow a couple of style standards:

I tend to buy styles that I really like in two or more colors.

I am drawn to certain prints and color ranges (that compliment my skin tone). As a result, I have quite a few pieces that work seamlessly in my reworked styling projects ... The top below is an example.

Project I

Final Phase

This top is actually a phase-two rework. I often wore the original Just Cavalli top as a layering piece. I wanted to convert it into a piece that I would wear as a stand-alone, signature item. So in phase one, I added a side insert from portions of two tops; Gianfranco Ferré and Ellen Tracy.

Phase One

The side insert was different, but just not enough ... I upped the edgy drama factor by "mixing it up a little" with a portion of my Calvin Klein shell.

Project II

My Elie Tahari cross-neck top was another nice corporate layering piece that I wanted to jazz up (I often paired it with cardigans and jackets.). I love the results of my rework. There is a touch of rocker chic that I added via the flowing front and back inserts ... courtesy of my former Yigal Azrouel grecian-style tunic. I kept the layered draping element in the inserts to add more drama to the piece.

Projects III & IV

The following two tops were my boho luxe pieces that I scored at an Elie Tahari sample sale in New York. I fell in love with the braided cording on the neckline and sleeves so much that I bought the style in two colors; black and burgundy.

Fast forward five years later and the tags were still on the tops ... It was definitely time for a rework. I combined the black version with a portion of a never-worn Diesel top. The burgundy version is reworked with my former, never-worn Ella Moss top.